In Carissa Moore’s first full year on Tour, she accomplished what so many have predicted for her over the years of her young life, an ASP World Title. It’s difficult to imagine the kind of pressure she was under to accomplish the goal. While most surfers are given a number of years to find their footing in the pro ranks, you could almost feel the industry’s expectations that anything short of a world title would be a letdown. But there would be no slip-ups, no letdown, no unfulfilled goals …Carissa charged through the Tour schedule, pushed performance boundaries in a groundbreaking film and did so with Hawaiian grace and style.

After Carissa won her World Title, we planned to interview her as quickly as possible …but so did every other surf media outlet on the planet. By the time our turn came around, all my questions had been asked numerous times. Instead of rehashing what had already been said, we asked a group of former world champions, legends, filmmakers, industry folks, free surf pioneers and local groms to post up some questions for the new World Champ. I don’t think this has ever been done before …so thank you to all who participated. You have my deepest appreciation! –Chris

1. Asked by Heather Hudson, Executive Producer of The Women and the WavesHeather Hudson: If you could go back to any era in surfing history and surf with anyone, who would you want to surf with and why?
Carissa Moore: I would probably want to go back two years and have a surf session with Andy (Irons) or go back to the early 90’s and surf with Rell (Sunn). Both people are great ambassadors to our sport and role models to me.

2. Asked by Kelly Nicely, Current #13 on the ASP Women’s Longboard World RankingsKelly Nicely: How has the tour changed for women in the past few years and how do you think the future of the women’s tour is headed as far as equality with men and women?
Carissa: I think the talent on the women’s tour has come so far the past few years. The girls are definitely pushing the limits of their performance. Unfortunately, the state of our tour is in what seems to be the worst it has ever been. I can only hope that one day we will have the same kind of following that the men have and we will gain more support and events.

3. Asked by Kim Mearig, 1983 ASP Women’s World ChampionKim Mearig: Since you’ve won the world title so young, are you content or do you want to beat Kelly’s record?
Carissa: Haha, I don’t know if I will ever beat Kelly’s record or even come close but I would love to give the world title a run every year I am on tour.

4. Asked by Serena Brooke, ASP legend & owner of Serena SportswearSerena Brooke: What type of diet and training do you do to keep in shape, do you think it is important to your surfing?
Carissa: I think it is so important to eat right and train to perform at your best. You definitely could just surf and be amazing but for the overall package and piece of mind it’s great to be on top of those things as well.

5. Asked by Sara Taylor, freesurfer & video star of Circus Tricks, Illegal Turns, and Hayley Gordon’s Empty LowersSara Taylor: If there was something you could change about the tour what would it be?
Carissa: If there was something that I could change about the tour it would be to have more events at amazing venues!

6. Asked by Cori Schumacher, Writer & 3x Women’s Longboard World ChampionCori Schumacher: Within the realm of surfing, the sponsorship dynamic is one of the most influential socializing agents for young surfers. How old were you when you were first sponsored and can you remember if how you felt about yourself changed then? If so, how? When you made the shift from being sponsored by endemic surf companies to your current sponsors, did you feel a shift in yourself as well? If so, what did that feel like for you?
Carissa: I was very lucky and got sponsored when I was seven by Roxy. I was very naive and didn’t think much of it, just how cool it was to get a box of clothes every month! Also, when I made the shift from being sponosred by endemic surf companies to my current sponsors I didn’t really make a big deal of it. I think my family did a really good job of keeping things simple on the sponsorship end so I could just enjoy surfing.

8. Asked by Shea Hodges, Hawaiian freesurfer & star of Shea Hodges: Freedom in MotionShea Hodges: It’s apparent that in the last few years the level of women’s surfing has increased dramatically. The widespread use of the internet and social media has helped create more of a “do it yourself” attitude for the aspiring surfer that doesn’t have the means to travel the tour and compete. Do you feel that women (like men) should have the option to be professional free-surfers and not only Tour surfers?
Carissa: Yea, I definitely think that women should have the option to be a professional free surfer.

10. Asked by Di Mattison, blogger, surfer & surf instructor extraordinaireDi Mattison: What do you think about the “marketing image” available to women professional surfers? Why do you think it is that the guys are able to be marketed with a wide range of types – jock; punk; gangsta; artist; hippy; intellectual – and that there’s only one type for women: happy, sporty, beach babe? I do see that Steph plays her guitar and Sally is really into sports, but I don’t see their overall image(s) being far from the mark that the surf industry has set for women (image-wise).
Carissa: I know. I think it’s crazy that guys seem to be way more marketable when women are the ones who are way more into fashion and the way they look. I think all the women on tour have awesome personalities and something unique and special about them and just need to be marketed in the right way.

11. Asked by Lauren Otonicar, owner & creator of Tonic HaircareLauren Otonicar: What is your animal amalgamation? (If you could be a combination of 2 animals what would you be and why?)
Carissa: Bird and dolphin so I can fly and swim underwater for long periods of time.

12. Asked by Ashley Beeson, middle school shredder in the Western Surfing AssociationAshley Beeson: Do you have any tips on how to do those “sliding 360’s” frontside and backside? I want to learn how to do them myself.
Carissa: Just keep messing around with it and eventually you’ll figure it out. It is a shift of weight from the front to back to front again. The key to spinning is getting the fins out of the water. To get the movement down, take the back center fin out, that’s what I did in the beginning, shhhh.

13. Asked by Kim Wooldridge, 14-year veteran of the ASP Women’s World TourKim Wooldridge: Which women surfers did you look up to or were inspired by when you first started surfing?
Carissa: Layne Beachley, Rochelle Ballard, Megan Abubo…

14. Asked by Amee Donohoe, ASP Women’s World Tour veteran and contest director of the annual RA Girls Surf ShowAmee Donohoe: Being the most progressive female surfer ever and inspiring generations, how are you keeping yourself inspired to continue to push your level of surfing? I watch your free surfing and your contest surfing and you go big with such flare but are you secretly attempting “sex change varials” now that the judges know what they are?
Carissa: Haha, well thank you, I am so flattered. My dad is definitely the one to thank for pushing my level of surfing. He is the one who helps me think out of the box, challenges and encourages me to go bigger. Also working with guys like Shane Beschen, Myles Padaca and Pancho Sullivan have inspired me so much. Being around their male energy is so new and exciting.

15. Asked by Lola Blake, President & CEO of Chick Sticks by LolaLola Blake: Do you have a pre-heat ritual that you do or think to yourself before your competitions?
Carissa: I always sit down and have a quick chat with my dad before paddling out, listen to some Eminem and Bieber and say a little prayer.

16. Asked by Cori Schumacher, writer & 3x Women’s Longboard World ChampionCori Schumacher: How important has your heritage as a Hawaiian been in your approach to surfing and what is the most important aspect of this heritage for you?
Carissa: It’s definitely motivated me to want to do my best to represent my heritage. The most important part is being able to do something I love and having fun everyday. A lot of hardwork but it’s all worth it.

17. Asked by Jessi Miley-Dyer, ASP Tour veteran & 2012 ASP Women’s World Tour ManagerJessi Miley-Dyer: You’re one of the only girls on tour I’ve seen donate their prize money to charity. We used to donate our time to various causes when we have been overseas but I’ve never given money (would love to but not exactly rolling in it, haha). Do you think that we should do more community work around the contests that we go to? Would you like to see more of it?
Carissa: I think we definitely should and I would love to see more of it. As professional surfers we get to travel the world and do something we love, how lucky are we?! I think it is important to give back to the communities that aren’t as fortunate but have given so much to us.

18. Asked by Margaux Arramon-tucoo, French artist, longboard stylist. Star of Hayley Gordon’s film, “This is Margaux”Margaux Arramon-tucoo: Does surfing for a living, traveling, now being world champ and all that comes with it, inspire you in other areas of your life?
Carissa: Yes of course! I realize that my life is amazing and in order to keep it I just have to keep working hard at everything. It is all so worth it.

19. Asked by Savannah Fliers, local ripper & huge fan of Carissa MooreSavannah Fliers: Where do you see yourself in 20 years?
Carissa: I hope raising a family, married, a teacher or a coach and of course still surfing!

20. Asked by Savannah Fliers, local ripper & huge fan of Carissa MooreSavannah Fliers: What advice would you give to girls who want to catch more waves when surfing in a lineup surrounded by wave-hungry guys?
Carissa: Patience and time. If you put your time in at any spot and are respectful you will gain respect yourself and will catch waves. And as you improve the guys will want to watch you rip!

21. Asked by Bilandra Chase, Mom, installation engineer & the better half of NK Surfboards shaped by RazBilandra Chase: You two have worked so closely for so many years. What did your dad say to you when you won the world title?
Carissa: My dad and I are best friends and seriously there is no person in the world that I would have wanted to share that journey with than my dad. He was stoked. When I won in France he gave me a huge hug and then said, “Knuckles. You did it!” Pretty awesome moment. One for the memory books for sure.

The ASP released the 2012 Women’s World Tour schedule and it looks close to identical to the 2011 version. A couple of observations… Overall prize money offered in 2012 is $770,000, down slightly from the $800,000 offered in 2011. Hawaii is once again a glowing omission from the schedule…

It was a shame to watch the world title decided with hops, skips and slides in France instead of with big sweeping turns and deep barrels in Hawaii’s blue walls of consequence. Please, please…one of you big clothing brands who have raked in millions and millions of dollars promoting the image of women’s surfing without adequately supporting events or the surfers themselves…step up to the plate and present a year-ending ASP event in Hawaii. No offense to the beachbreaks of France or Huntington Beach which are great stops along the way, but in our humble opinion the Tour should end this and every year in Hawaii. The US Open is no doubt a fun event but ending the Tour in front of a bunch of non-surfing Southern California buffoons, most of whom never even venture away from the circus tents to watch the surf contest, is just plain wrong. The girls deserve Hawaii, the fans yearn for Hawaii and since your brands owe your entire existence to the pull of the Islands, someone do the right thing and pony up for a year-ending event in the spiritual birthplace of our sport.

Off the soapbox and back to the task at hand, check below for the 2012 ASP Women’s World Tour Schedule.

WANNING, Hainan Island/China (Thursday, 27 October, 2011) – Two Champions were crowned at the historic first ever ASP event in China today. Chelsea Williams won the SWATCH Girls Pro China and Lindsay Steinriede (USA) has taken out the 2011 ASP Women’s World Longboard Title.

[frame_left src=”http://www.jettygirl.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Williams066SGPC11WHS-150×100.jpg” href=”http://www.jettygirl.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Williams066SGPC11WHS.jpg”]Chelsea Williams (AUS)[/frame_left]
Chelsea Williams (AUS) was without a doubt the standout performer of the SWATCH Girls Pro China, so it was only fitting to see her crowned the winner. Williams defeated Kelia Moniz (HAW) in an action packed Final with the conditions turning on for the 2 best surfers of the day. Both surfers notched big scores, but it was Williams who continued her dominating run to claim her maiden ASP Women’s World Longboard Tour win.

“I’m so happy to win the first ASP event in China,” Williams said. “It feels amazing to be here and surf against everyone, they were all surfing really well. Fortunately for me it was on a left-hander which rarely ever happens, so I was just stoked to show what I can do on my forehand. I think this has been a longtime coming, I’ve come close to winning so many times so it feel amazing to finally win one.”

[frame_right src=”http://www.jettygirl.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Steinriede062SGPC11WHS-1-150×100.jpg” href=”http://www.jettygirl.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Steinriede062SGPC11WHS-1.jpg”]Lindsay Steinriede (USA)[/frame_right]
Despite losing in the Quarterfinals to eventual event winner Chelsea Williams (AUS), Steinriede had amassed enough points to take the crown after winning the first event on the ASP Women’s World Longboard Tour in France and coming 5th here in China.

“I feel awesome!” Steinriede said. “I knew I didn’t have control of the outcome so I was just letting it happen, and it just went my way so I’m really happy. One of the first things I came in and said to my husband after I lost was that I’ve had a lot worse things happen to me, I was just trying to stay positive. To be able to still be in the Title race was awesome and to actually win it, well it’s just sinking in and I think I’m going to cry.”

Steinriede surfed fantastic all event, putting her full repertoire and smooth style on display for the Chinese crowds on the beach, but couldn’t get past the standout surfer of the event Chelsea Williams. Steinriede won the ASP Women’s World Longboard Title when the last contender standing, Kassia Meador (USA) lost to young Hawaiian Kelia Moniz (HAW) in the Semifinals.

“I was devastated because I didn’t want to leave it to chance, but I was more devastated because I didn’t get that wave I wanted,” Steinriede said. “My emotions are still up and down because I really wanted to be in the Final, but that’s ok, I’ll take the ASP World Title!”

[frame_left src=”http://www.jettygirl.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Moniz057SGPC11WHS-150×100.jpg” href=”http://www.jettygirl.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Moniz057SGPC11WHS.jpg”]Kelia Moniz (HAW)[/frame_left]
Kelia Moniz (HAW) finished 6th on the ASP Women’s World Longboard Tour ratings after her 2nd place finish at the SWATCH Girls Pro China today. This is a breakout event for the 18-year-old Hawaiian who’s already looking forward to the 2012 ASP Women’s World Longboard Tour.

“It felt great to make the final, and beat Jen (Smith) and Kassia (Meador), that’s a big accomplishment for me,” Moniz said. “Then to surf with Chelsea (Williams) in the final was great. As much as I wanted to win, there’s always next year, I’m already looking forward to coming back here and to France. China has been amazing, the community and the event volunteers have been great, they’ve treated us like royalty and we’re so grateful.”

[frame_right src=”http://www.jettygirl.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Meador055SGPC11WHS-150×100.jpg” href=”http://www.jettygirl.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Meador055SGPC11WHS.jpg”]Kassia Meador (USA)[/frame_right]
Kassia Meador (USA) finished equal 3rd today at the SWATCH Girls Pro China, cementing her spot as runner-up to the ASP Women’s World Title. If Meador had won the event she would have won the title, but she fell short against the young Hawaiian Moniz in the Quarterfinals.

“I feel great, I’m not much of a contest surfer so the fact that I came close to the ASP World Title is fantastic,” Meador said. “I’m just stoked to be in China surfing with all the girls, and to lose to Kelia (Moniz), there’s not many people I’d rather lose to, she’s like a little sister to me. It was such a fun heat, you do what you can and I fell short, but I’m so happy to make the finals. I’m so stoked that Chelsea (Williams) won! She’s always the in-form surfer at these events so it was due time that she won.”

BIARRITZ – France (Friday, July 15, 2011) – Stephanie Gilmore (Gold Coast, AUS), 23, won the Roxy Pro in Biarritz today, the charismatic champion clinching her first victory of the season ahead of freshly crowned 2011 ASP Women’s World Champion Carissa Moore (Oahu, HAW), 18, in good quality three-foot (one meter) waves and finding the only clean barrel of the event en route to victory.

With no pressure and having enjoyed the week of action where she posted three of the event’s top-five wave scores, Gilmore managed to take the final’s lead after a series of waves, the four-time ASP champion adding a 19th event win to her brilliant career with a solid 17.27 point heat result, the event’s third highest one.

“Today was unbelievable because so much has gone down,” Roxy Pro winner Gilmore said. “In my perfect world somebody would be crowned world champ and I would take the win and that is what I dreamt about. It feels so good. I missed it so much this year. I am so happy right now.”

Gilmore, who was ousted from the ASP Women’s World title race after event No. 5 in Brazil, came to Biarritz relaxed, bringing her stylish forehand attack, on-the-rail cutback and vertical top-turn lethal weapons to make her way through to the final and win the event, a win with a special taste ahead of wunderkid and favorite Moore.

“Her turns out there were really strong and I thought she was surfing better than me but I got a little head dip and it was the excitement of everything,” Gilmore added. “It feels good to beat her and she has definitely raised the bar for all the girls this year. She is definitely the strongest of everyone this whole year and she has been in every single final and that is a new record. To beat the freshly crowned world champ is pretty cool.”

Following her ASP Women’s world champion crowning, Carissa Moore (Oahu, HAW), 18, led the battle for fifteen minutes netting an 8.00 point score on her third wave thanks to her custom-made upside-down turns and 360° reverses. Showing great consistency and mental strength during the nerve-racking world title showdown all week, Moore came short of only 1.77 points finishing her Biarritz run as runner-up.

“It’s been a great event and I was just smiling during the whole final,” an ecstatic Moore said. “It’s probably the heat I’ve spoken in most in my career and we were just enjoying our time out there with Stephanie. The waves were fun and I am just super stoked to be here in Biarritz.”

Surfing a sixth final in six events, a premiere in the ASP history, youngest ever ASP Women’s World champion Moore adds another record to her already outstanding young career and will be celebrating the first world title for a Hawaiian in 30 years, since Margo Oberg’s crowning in 1981.

“It feels amazing to make all these finals and win the title,” Moore said. “I have been thinking about this for a long time since I was a little girl. Just to be here right now and being world champ is pretty crazy, and Roxy put-up a great event. I dreamed of surfing at this level my whole life since I was a little kid and I don’t think you can ever expect or anticipate the feeling.”

Placing equal 3rd in the event and consequently letting go her chances to counter Moore’s world title assault, Sally Fitzgibbons (New South Wales, AUS) still added another solid result and continues the 2011 season as ASP World No. 2 and heading to the final event hungry for a win.

“It’s been a fantastic year, I’ve enjoyed the highs and lows but it’s a bit devastating to lose the world title,” Fitzgibbons said. “I am stoked to see my good friend Carissa (Moore) win the title and it was a great finish to see Stephanie take down the event win. There is still another event and I’ll try and finish there with a strong result.”

Fitzgibbons, who was the last world title contender, remains one of women’s surfing favorites towards the supreme ASP crown in a near future, and contributed to making this year’s ASP Women’s World title race one of the most exciting ever.

“It’s surfing and sometimes it’s difficult to win when world titles are on the line,” Fitzgibbons said. “I am stoked with my performance this year and can’t wait for next year.”

Securing her best result in her ASP Women’s World title rookie season, Pauline Ado (Hendaye, FRA) pleased her home crowds by reaching the Semifinals of the event, the 20-year-old mutli ASP European women’s champion continuing her 2011 run efficiently and now seriously in reach of requalifying for next year’s elite ASP Women’s tour.

“I would have loved to make the final but I am super happy with my result and it feels even better to secure it here at home,” Ado said. “I was really relaxed going into that heat and I knew I had nothing to lose against Carissa (Moore). The waves were good, I did my thing and I am happy with this run in Biarritz. Looking forward to the final event in California.”

By placing 3rd in Biarritz, Ado’s chances to requalify now depend on fellow rookie Laura Enever (USA) and Paige Hareb’s (NZL) results at the final event next month in California, both girls needing to make the final to keep Ado back from requalifying.

The Roxy Pro will continue tomorrow with the ASP Women’s World Longboard Tour division set to wrap-up, event officials meeting at 8 AM Saturday.

LA GRANDE PLAGE, Biarritz/France (Friday, July 15, 2011) – Carissa Moore (HAW), 18, has just made ASP history as the youngest ever ASP Women’s World Champion, clinching her maiden title today at the Roxy Pro Biarritz.

“I dreamed of surfing at this level my whole life since I was a little kid and I don’t think you can ever expect or anticipate the feeling,” Moore said. “It is amazing. There is no place I would rather be right now.”

The clinching came when then-reigning four-time ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), 23, dispatched of the remaining title contender Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), 20, in the Semifinals of competition.

“I’m not really feeling anything right now I am just so happy,” Moore said. “It was really stressful watching that last heat and I was trying to just listen to my songs and zone out. It is kind of weird to win on the beach. I have always visualized and imagined winning the Final or a heat and coming in and winning but I’m so happy and excited. I have been thinking about this for a long time since I was a little girl and just to be here right now and being world champ is pretty crazy.”

In only her second year competing amongst the world’s best, Moore has had a stellar run, making the Finals in every event thus far and scalping three wins along the way.

“I have had this goal written on my door and it has been waiting there for a long time to be ticked off so I can’t wait to go home and cross it out,” Moore said.

This year’s stellar run set another record for the youngster as the only ASP World Champion in history to make the Finals in every event this season, and sees Moore as the first Hawaiian ASP Women’s World Champion since Margo Oberg (HAW) in 1981.

“I definitely first and foremost want to thank my little sister Cayla, thank you so much,” Moore said. “I wouldn’t be here without you. There are way too many people to thank but my Dad, he has been here every step of the way and I could not have done this without him. It is so much sweeter having him part of my team. I want to thank my sponsors Nike, Target and Red Bull I couldn’t do it without them. My family, my uncles and aunts and my grandparents.”

The next and final stop on the 2011 ASP Women’s World Title season will be the Nike US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach from August 1 – 6, 2011.

Four-Time ASP World Champion Stephanie Gilmore to Represent Quiksilver Line for Women

HUNTINGTON BEACH, January 5, 2011 – Quiksilver is pleased to announce that it has signed current ASP Women’s World Champion Stephanie Gilmore to a five-year endorsement agreement. Under terms of the agreement Stephanie will ride for the Quiksilver team and has become a Quiksilver brand ambassador, joining a diverse and talented group which includes 13 other female artists, musicians, photographers, philanthropists and fashion designers representing Quiksilver’s lines for women.

As a brand ambassador Stephanie will contribute to marketing initiatives and activities through her considerable creative talents. The addition of Stephanie to the Quiksilver ambassador program also coincides with the debut of Quiksilver’s new global girls line, targeting 18-24 year old young females, set to launch in February 2011.

“I have had exceptional support throughout my career and I am excited to have this bright opportunity with the respected team at Quiksilver,” says Gilmore.

“I am looking forward to pushing myself to new levels and feel this is a move which will help me stay inspired while competing at the highest level as a professional surfer on the ASP Women’s World Tour. It’s thrilling to be a part of an innovative and globally respected brand like Quiksilver. Its rich history and creative direction are well aligned with my personal ambitions.”

“We are very happy to welcome Stephanie to Quiksilver” says Bob McKnight, CEO of Quiksilver. “Her many accomplishments, at such a young age, are incredible. She is an inspirational role model for young women and a perfect fit for Quiksilver.”

22-year-old Stephanie, who was born and raised in NSW Australia has already become one of the most accomplished surfers in the world. She has won the ASP World Title in each of the last four years, was the youngest ASP Women’s World Champion (2007) and has 17 ASP Women’s World Tour victories. She will compete in the first event of the 2011 ASP season at next month’s Roxy Pro on Australia’s Gold Coast, February 26-March 9.

In addition to Quiksilver, her sponsors include Cole Clark Guitars, Ford, Sanitarium and DHD Surfboards. She plays both acoustic and electric guitar, including a Cole Clark lap slide and a vintage Fender Strat, and she documents her world travels with a Hassleblad 501c medium format camera.

Stephanie’s philanthropic work includes Australia’s youth-focused Black Dog Foundation; and she is a sponsor for two children in Kenya and Ethiopia. This Sunday, January 9th, Stephanie will be part of Channel 9 Australia’s telethon to raise money for Australia’s devastated areas affected by the floods.

Stephanie will continue to hone her talents and pursue her passions as she joins the Quiksilver family and will creatively contribute to and be involved in marketing efforts for the brand’s new collection. Designed for young women with a coastal mindset and an independent spirit, the new Quiksilver collection is built on an understated aesthetic with its primary focus on quality fabrics, fits and finishes.

This feminine interpretation of the Quiksilver brand has resulted in a beautiful collection that is authentic to Quiksilver’s roots while at the same time introducing a unique, feminine perspective to the action sports apparel industry. The debut season of the collection perfectly blends coastal casual lived-in, loved-in designs with airy feminine details and superior hand-feel.